Washington added jobs again in April

Washington added an estimated 5,800 jobs last month, while the unemployment rate dipped from 9.2 to 9.1 percent.

Since April 2010, Washington has added an estimated 41,500 jobs.

"We're beginning to see job growth pick up some real momentum," said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause. "It's tough to not feel optimistic about where we're going."

Industries that posted gains in April were construction, up 2,400; professional and business services, up 1,700; manufacturing, up 1,200; retail trade, up 900; transportation, warehousing and utilities, up 900; information, up 900; education and health services, up 900; financial activities, up 500; and wholesale trade, up 200.

Jobs were lost in government, down 2,500; other services, down 800; and leisure and hospitality, down 500.

An estimated 307,737 people in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in April, and 217,038 people received unemployment benefits from Washington.